Renault F1 Team 2019 Season Review: Ambition Vs Midfield

The 2019 Formula 1 season marked a pivotal chapter for the Renault F1 Team, as they aimed to solidify their status among the grid’s top midfield contenders. With the high-profile signing of Daniel Ricciardo to pair with incumbent Nico Hulkenberg, expectations soared for a push toward the ‘best of the rest’ title. Operating from their Enstone base, Renault entered the year leveraging their own power unit development and chassis expertise, targeting at least a repeat of their prior fourth-place constructors finish. Yet, the season unfolded with a mix of flashes of brilliance, technical hurdles, and a tense battle to hold onto fifth.

Driver Lineup: Ricciardo’s Arrival and Hulkenberg’s Consistency

Daniel Ricciardo brought proven winning pedigree to Renault, boasting seven Grand Prix victories, 29 podiums, and three poles from his time at Red Bull. His recruitment was a bold statement of intent, signaling Renault’s financial commitment and ambition to challenge the leading trio of Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull. Nico Hulkenberg, entering his third year with the team, provided stability with his qualifying prowess and racecraft, though 2019 proved his least prolific scoring year.

The duo complemented each other well in theory: Ricciardo’s flair for overtakes and tire management alongside Hulkenberg’s raw speed in single-lap scenarios. Throughout the 21-race calendar, Ricciardo edged Hulkenberg in qualifying battles and contributed the lion’s share of points, underscoring his value despite the team’s overall shortfall.

Car and Power Unit: The R.S.19 Challenger

Renault’s R.S.19 chassis, powered by the Renault E-Tech 19 V6 hybrid turbo unit, showed promise in pre-season testing. Early optimism centered on its straight-line speed and improved aerodynamics, positioning it as potentially the strongest midfield package. The yellow-black livery, unveiled ahead of the season, symbolized a fresh, aggressive identity.

However, reliability issues plagued the power unit, with both drivers suffering retirements due to engine failures, notably in Japan where power losses triggered a safety car. The car’s brake system also drew scrutiny, leading to a controversial disqualification later in the year. Despite these woes, the R.S.19 delivered competitive pace on power-sensitive tracks.

Race-by-Race Breakdown: Peaks and Troughs

Renault’s season was a rollercoaster, with sporadic high points amid consistent midfield scraps. Here’s a detailed look at their points haul across the calendar:

The Italian Grand Prix at Monza stood out as Renault’s pinnacle, with Ricciardo’s P4 and Hulkenberg’s P5 yielding 22 points – their best single-race haul. Canada also shone with 14 points from a double top-10. Conversely, zero-point races like Bahrain, Azerbaijan, and Japan highlighted reliability gaps.

Qualifying and Head-to-Head: Ricciardo’s Edge

Ricciardo dominated the internal qualifying duel, outpacing Hulkenberg in most sessions. His best was P4 in Canada, while Hulkenberg’s highlights included P7 there and P11 in Australia. Race results mirrored this, with Ricciardo’s 54 points to Hulkenberg’s 37.

• Ricciardo’s Season Stats: P9 overall (54 pts), Best: P4 Monza.
• Hulkenberg’s Season Stats: P14 overall (37 pts), Best: P5 Monza.
• Team total: 91 points, down 29 from 2018.

Constructors Battle: Narrow Escape from Toro Rosso

Renault slipped to fifth in constructors with 91 points, six ahead of Toro Rosso’s late surge. A prior fourth-place defense crumbled against Haas and Racing Point early, but Monza’s haul provided breathing room. The midfield was brutally tight, with tiny margins deciding positions.

Monza Disqualification: A Costly Technical Breach

Post-Monza joy turned sour when both drivers were disqualified for a pre-set brake bias system deemed driver aid – violating rules mandating unaided control. This stripped nine points, intensifying the Toro Rosso threat. The FIA upheld Racing Point’s protest, underscoring regulatory vigilance.

Reliability and Development Challenges

Power unit woes, including Japan’s double failure, cost crucial results. Development focused on aero tweaks and brake fixes post-Monza, yielding late-season gains in Austin, Mexico, and Brazil. Still, Renault lagged the top teams’ pace delta.

Strategic Highlights and Lowlights

Renault excelled in tire strategy at Monza and Canada, but pit errors and conservative calls hampered elsewhere. Hulkenberg’s Australia P7 from P11 showcased recovery strength, while Ricciardo’s flair shone in wheel-to-wheel combat.

Outlook Beyond 2019

Despite missing targets, fifth place and Ricciardo’s integration laid foundations. The team eyed 2020 improvements in power and chassis, retaining core staff amid Alpine rebranding whispers. Lessons from disqualifications sharpened compliance focus.

FAQs

What was Renault’s best result in 2019?

Daniel Ricciardo’s fourth place at the Italian Grand Prix, with Hulkenberg fifth, before disqualification.

Why were Renault disqualified at Monza?

A pre-set brake bias system violated driver-aid rules, per FIA investigation.

How did Ricciardo perform vs. Hulkenberg?

Ricciardo scored 54 points to 37, out-qualifying Hulkenberg more often.

Did Renault improve from 2018?

No, points dropped 29 to 91, slipping from P4 to P5.

What tracks suited the R.S.19 best?

Power tracks like Monza and Canada, where they maximized straight-line speed.